Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation produces a tissue recovery in hydrocephalic mice

In congenital hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulation is associated to ischemia/hypoxia, metabolic impairment, neuronal damage and astrocytic reaction, which cause significant mortality and life-long neurological complications. Currently, there are no effective therapies for congenital hydrocephalus. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) are considered as a potential therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases due to their ability for migrating and producing neuroprotector factors when they are transplanted. The aim of this research was to study the ability of BM-MSC to reach the degenerated regions and to detect their neuroprotector effects, using an animal model of congenital hydrocephalus, the hyh mouse. Fluorescent BM-MSC were analyzed by flow-cytometry and multilineage cell differentiation. BM-MSC were brain-ventricle injected into hyh mice. Wild-type and saline-injected hyh mice were used as controls. Inmunohistochemical, RT-PCR and High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning spectroscopy (HRMAS) analyses were carried out. After administration, integrated BM-MSC were identified inside the periventricular astrocyte reaction. They were detected producing glial-derived neuroprotector factor (GDNF), neural growth factor (NGF), and brain-derived neuroprotector factor (BDNF). Tissue recovery was detected with a reduction of apoptotic cells in the periventricular walls and of the levels of glutamate, glutamine, taurine, and creatine, all of them markers of tissue damage in hydrocephalus.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. ISCIII PI15/00619 y FEDE

Tenocytic induction of stem cells from bone marrow on polymeric microparticles for a new concept of tendon regenerative prosthesis

A new concept of a regenerative and resorbable prosthesis for tendon and ligament has been developed. The prosthesis consists of a poly-lactide acid (PLA) braid, microparticles in its interior serving as cell carriers, and a surface non-adherent coating. The aim of this study is to select the most suitable support, microparticles of poly-L-lactide (PLLA) or chitosan (CHT), for carrying the cells inside the hollow PLA braid. Microparticles of these polymers were manufactured and blended with microparticles of hyaluronic acid (HA). All of them were physically and biologically characterized. Cell viability, morphology and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) on the different supports were evaluated and compared, revealing that PLLA microparticles were the most appropriate to be used as injectable cell-carrier. Finally, hMSCs differentiation into tenocytes was carried out on PLLA microparticles using bone morphogenetic protein-12 (BMP-12) and a mixture of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor1 (IGF-1). Cell morphology was analyzed by electronic and confocal microscopy and cell differentiation was evaluated immunocytochemically for the presence of type I collagen and tenomodulin. Besides, the tenomodulin and decorin gene expression were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Our results showed that the medium supplemented with BMP-12 promoted higher expression of tenomodulin and decorin, both of them differentiation markers of tenocytes. This approach might be relevant to future tissue engineering applications in reconstruction of tendon and ligament defects. Authors acknowledge support of the Spanish Instituto de Salud Carlos III through CIBERbbn and the Spanish Network on Cell Therapy (Red TerCel) initiatives.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Evaluación de los parámetros de calidad bajo la influencia de arvenses sobre la naranja tangelo en la Finca la Granja Vereda el Tablón, municipio de la Plata, Huila.

Entre los factores externos que pueden afectar las características de la naranja se encuentra la presencia de arvenses, estas impactan en el diámetro de la naranja (polar y ecuatorial), peso total de la fruta, peso total del zumo de naranja, peso total de la cascara, grosor de la cascarara, grados Brix y pH del zumo. El presente estudio cuantifica el impacto a tres condiciones (sin arvenses (T1), arvenses nobles(T2) y arvenses (T3)) sobre las características de las naranjas Primero se acomodan 3 bloques de 8 árboles cada uno, los bloques se separan entre sí por más de 100 metros en la finca la Granja vereda el Tablón, Municipio de La Plata, Departamento del Huila, Colombia. Un bloque se dejó sin arvenses (T1), a otro se le adjuntó arvenses nobles (T2) y al último arvenses (T3). Luego se capta la fruta en temporada de cosecha, tomando 72 naranjas en cada bloque elegidas al azar. Posteriormente se mide las siguientes variables: diámetro de la naranja (polar y ecuatorial), peso total de la fruta, peso total del zumo de naranja, peso total de la cascara, grosor de la cascara, grados Brix, pH del zumo y Color del fruto, toda medida se realiza tres veces y se anota el valor promedio. Una vez obtenida las mediciones, se procede a cuantificar el impacto de los tratamientos en las características de las naranjas, obteniendo que el índice de madurez en el tratamiento 1 es de 3.9, en el tratamiento 2 es de 3.26 y en el tratamiento 3 es de 2.51, mostrando una relación inversa entre arvenses y madurez. El T2 tiene en promedio un diámetro polar de 2.9% mayor que al T1, el ecuatorial es 13.97% menor que al T1, el peso total es 13.75% menor que al T1 y el peso del jugo es 19.71% menor que al T1. En el T3 los grados Brix es 18.41% menor que al T1y el pH es 27.03% mayor que al T1. Lo anterior muestra que las arvenses afecta ampliamente a los grados Brix y al pH.Among the external factors that can affect the characteristics of the orange is the presence of weeds, these impact on the diameter of the orange (polar and equatorial), total weight of the fruit, total weight of the orange juice, total weight of the peel, coat thickness, Brix degrees and pH of the juice. The present study quantifies the impact at three conditions (without weeds (T1), noble weeds (T2) and weeds (T3)) on the characteristics of oranges First, 3 lots of 8 trees per block equidistant between them for more than 100 meters are accommodated in the farm La Granja, the board, Municipality of La Plata, Department of Huila, Colombia. One lot was left without weeds (T1), another was joined with noble weeds (T2) and the last weed (T3). The fruit is then harvested in the harvest season, taking 72 oranges in each batch chosen at random. The variables are then measured: diameter of the orange (polar and equatorial), total weight of the fruit, total weight of the orange juice, total weight of the peel, thickness of the coat, degrees Brix, pH of the juice and color of the fruit. , all measurements are carried out three times and the average value is adopted. Once the measurements are obtained, the impact of the treatments on the characteristics of the oranges is quantified, obtaining that the maturity index in treatment 1 is 3.9, in treatment 2 it is 3.26 and in treatment 3 it is 2.51, showing an inverse relationship between weeds and maturity. T2 on average has a polar diameter of 2.9% greater than T1, the equatorial is 13.97% less than T1, the total weight is 13.75% less than T1 and the weight of the juice is 19.71% less than T1. In T3 the degrees Brix is 18.41% lower than in T1 and the pH is 27.03% higher than in T1. The above shows that weeds widely affect Brix degrees and pH

Regenerative Therapies in Dry Eye Disease: From Growth Factors to Cell Therapy

Dry eye syndrome is a complex and insidious pathology with a high level of prevalence among the human population and with a consequently high impact on quality of life and economic cost. Currently, its treatment is symptomatic, mainly based on the control of lubrication and inflammation, with significant limitations. Therefore, the latest research is focused on the development of new biological strategies, with the aim of regenerating affected tissues, or at least restricting the progression of the disease, reducing scar tissue, and maintaining corneal transparency. Therapies range from growth factors and cytokines to the use of different cell sources, in particular mesenchymal stem cells, due to their multipotentiality, trophic, and immunomodulatory properties. We will review the state of the art and the latest advances and results of these promising treatments in this pathology

Neocortical tissue recovery in severe congenital obstructive hydrocephalus after intraventricular administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: In obstructive congenital hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulation is associated with high intracranial pressure and the presence of periventricular edema, ischemia/hypoxia, damage of the white matter, and glial reactions in the neocortex. The viability and short time effects of a therapy based on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) have been evaluated in such pathological conditions in the hyh mouse model. METHODS: BM-MSC obtained from mice expressing fluorescent mRFP1 protein were injected into the lateral ventricle of hydrocephalic hyh mice at the moment they present a very severe form of the disease. The effect of transplantation in the neocortex was compared with hydrocephalic hyh mice injected with the vehicle and non-hydrocephalic littermates. Neural cell populations and the possibility of transdifferentiation were analyzed. The possibility of a tissue recovering was investigated using 1H High-Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, thus allowing the detection of metabolites/osmolytes related with hydrocephalus severity and outcome in the neocortex. An in vitro assay to simulate the periventricular astrocyte reaction conditions was performed using BM-MSC under high TNFα level condition. The secretome in the culture medium was analyzed in this assay. RESULTS: Four days after transplantation, BM-MSC were found undifferentiated and scattered into the astrocyte reaction present in the damaged neocortex white matter. Tissue rejection to the integrated BM-MSC was not detected 4 days after transplantation. Hyh mice transplanted with BM-MSC showed a reduction in the apoptosis in the periventricular neocortex walls, suggesting a neuroprotector effect of the BM-MSC in these conditions. A decrease in the levels of metabolites/osmolytes in the neocortex, such as taurine and neuroexcytotoxic glutamate, also indicated a tissue recovering. Under high TNFα level condition in vitro, BM-MSC showed an upregulation of cytokine and protein secretion that may explain homing, immunomodulation, and vascular permeability, and therefore the tissue recovering. CONCLUSIONS: BM-MSC treatment in severe congenital hydrocephalus is viable and leads to the recovery of the severe neurodegenerative conditions in the neocortex. NMR spectroscopy allows to follow-up the effects of stem cell therapy in hydrocephalus.España Instituto Carlos III , PI15/00619 (to AJJ), PI19/00778 (to AJJ and PPG), PI15/00796, and PI18/01557España Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte FPU13/02906España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RYC-2014-16980España, FEDER Andalucía y Universidad de Málaga UMA18-FEDERJA-27

Role of Insulin-Growth Factor II on mitochondrial recovery in a cellular model of Parkinson's Disease

Insulin-growth factor II (IGF-II) has shown antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in some neurodegenerative disorders. ROS causes damage to cellular macromolecules affecting several cellular processes and resulting in cell death. Mitochondrial ROS damage has a critical role in the pathobiology of PD. The objective was to assess the IGF-II role in the recovery of the oxidative damage produced on mitochondrial in a cellular model of PD. SN4741 cell line was treated as follows: MPP+ alone, in presence of IGF-II and/or co-incubated BMS (Ins/IGF-I receptors antagonist) or AB (anti-IGF-II-receptor). To assess the effect of IGF-II in the recovery of MPP+ damage, this treatment was removed after 2 h and replaced during another 2 h by medium, IGF-II or IGF-II + BMS or IGF-II + AB. Cell death was analysed through annexin-V Mitochondrial structure, localization and morphology was studied by western blot/ immunochemistry of Mitofilin (Mtf) and electron microscopy; function by Mitotracker and oxygen consumption rate. IGF-II prevented MPP+ cell death. In morphological/structural studies, MPP+ treated cells showed swollen mitochondria with loss of cristae, and electron-lucent matrix, inducing a mitochondrial number reduction. IGF-II retrieved normal-shaped mitochondria with intact cristae and outer/inner membranes. Moreover, MPP+ incubation significantly reduced the expression levels of Mtf compared to the CO. This expression was found in areas that had a very weak mark, indicating mitochondrial destruction or dysfunction. IGF-II coincubation, recovered the expression of Mtf, remaining associated with healthy mitochondrial function. Additionally, the decrease in OCR levels after MPP+ administration was recovered in presence of IGF-II. The BMS-receptor blockage did not modify the IGF-II responses, and AB limited its effect. In conclusion, IGF-II recovers mitochondrial structure and function due to MPP+ damage. This improvement is carried out through the specific IGF-II receptor.Supported by M.G-F.&L.J.S. Proyectos I+D+I-Programa Operativo-FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020 (UMA18-FEDERJA-004) Junta de Andalucía. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Herramientas para la implementación de los sistemas basados en las normas ISO 9001 e ISO 22000, BPM/HACCP para el sector secundario dedicado a la transformación del café

La Asociación ASOMUPAl – asociación de mujeres palermunas, dedicadas a la producción y transformación del café, con base en los parámetros de las BPM - buenas práctica de manufactura y con la normatividad legal vigente, ISO 22000: 2018 e ISO 9001:2015, en donde se pretende realizar un respectivo diagnóstico de la producción.The ASOMUPAl Association – palermuna women's association, dedicated to the production and transformation of coffee, based on the parameters of GMP - good manufacturing practice and with current legal regulations, ISO 22000: 2018 and ISO 9001: 2015, where It is intended to make a respective diagnosis of production

Service-learning educational approach for undergraduate students: development of an outreach workshop for high school students

In the last decade, research institutes and universities have strengthened the development of outreach activities in the biomedical field, involving researchers and professors as well as graduate students, but with little or no implication of undergraduate students. However, the development of this type of activities, using the Service-Learning educational approach, could be a valuable tool that would manage the acquisition of learning competencies by undergraduate students of Health Science Degrees and would put science at the service of society. In this project, we present the development of the workshop entitled “Exploring the human body”, in which 205 students in their first and second year of a Degree in Nursing or Medicine (University of Málaga, Spain) acted as mentors of 753 high school students (15 to 16 years old) in several school years (since 2016-2017, excluding 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The workshop consisted of five work stations. Each station featured a set of different experiments and activities that were designed to teach the multiple levels by which the human body, and particularly the nervous system, can be studied: biomolecules, cells, tissues, organs and systems. Both high school and undergraduate students gave an evaluation of the workshop via questionnaires (Likert scale-based and short-answer questions) and a debriefing with the university professors. Data showed an overall score of 4.6 out of 5 points for the workshop by both high school and undergraduate students. In addition, undergraduate students pointed out that their participation had a positive impact on their academic background (4.8 out of 5 points), mainly due to the improvement of their oral communication skills (78 students) and self-confidence (58 students).Universidad de Málaga. Servicio de Publicaciones y Divulgación Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech